Friday, October 30, 2009

One of the neat things I loved about clinicals at OSU this semester was Thankful Thursday's.

Every Thursday, the bosses would come around and tell each person why they were thankful for them. Then the employees would do the same.

We are wrapping up National RT week so yesterday, they did this during a staff meeting as we watched. Each one of them publically told each other why they were thankful for someone and why the role they served was important.

They may not be the best of the best or the best at what they do, but, each person fills an important role and they all heard that yesterday.

I love postive reinforcement. Many times we grow weary in our jobs, our family life, or the places that we serve. Burnout can happen quick. So let's be thankful to those today that are important to us. What if you had a Thankful Thursday? Do you think it would make a difference in the lives of those that are around you to know how much you appreciate them? I bet it will. I know during this week at my job, I have felt very blessed, and very fortunate to know just how thankful my boss is of me.

Wednesday, October 28, 2009

We went to the pumpkin patch here in Owasso and had a blast! Unfortunatley, Ian was really sick that day and didn't get to go. But we picked him out a good one! Carving in our house seems to be extra fun! :o) I'm not sure how many knives I think I needed, but it was a pretty pumpkin when I was finished!

Tuesday, October 20, 2009

Well, not totally finished....especially the title, but Lukus was proud of it. This is The Zoe group singing "Amazed". This is Lukus' new favorite song. He sings it all the time around the house. (shhhhh don't tell him I told you) But I asked him to come up with pictures that he thought would fit the song, and this is what I put together for him. He was quite excited today:o)

Sunday, October 18, 2009

My night at work reminded me of Terry's saying......I can't stay long....but on the contrary.......!

It was a very busy night. I was on the code team that evening and had 38 patients to see within a 2 hour window. My pager was going off left and right and I didn't have the time to get to everyone. I started down the list of who is the most critical and tending to them first. Others, unfortunately, would have to wait for the next rounds a few hours later.

I walked into a room in the ICU. He was just another patient for me to see at the moment and I was in a hurry. I told him why I was there, what I was going to do, and proceeded with my work. On the couch sat his wife, daughter, and son in law, and they just watched me as most family members do.

I gave him his meds and reached down to take his pulse. He grabbed my hand.

Me: "Are you okay?"Him: "Yes, you're just different" Me: "Okay, well what's different about me?" Him: "You believe in God" Me: "You are right, I do" Him: "And you believe that he was with me" Me: "Yes I do, and I believe He is with you now as well"

I had no idea why this patient was here other than he was recovering from a wound. I had no details at this moment.

Him: "Today is my birthday" Me: "Well, happy birthday" (it wasn't really his birthday, but if he wanted to believe it....then I am willing to let him) Me: "So....how old are you?" Him: "I'm brand new" .....and a single tear ran down his cheek.

"You see, I was taking a walk and I had gone down to the creek where I normally hunt. I frequent there quite a bit. I had my shot gun with me because you never know what you'll see around there. It's my place of comfort. I don't get cell phone reception, there's no technology around. It's just me. I'm all alone. I was walking along and heard a noise. I turned around, but saw nothing. When I went to walk again, I tripped on a rock and fell on my gun. It shot straight through me in the abdomen. I never lost consciousness and remember all of it very well. Once I realized what I had done, I reached for my cell phone and called my son in law. Amazingly, the phone worked. He had gone hunting with me several times so I could tell him where I was. He stayed on the phone with me the entire time as he was leading EMSA to me on another phone. As I laid there, I didn't know what to think. I hadn't been a faithful christian for a few years. My son died two years ago and I have never been able to forgive God for that. It hurt me so much. But I remember laying there and asking God to just give me one more day. Just one more day to make things right here on earth and then I'll go. That was 10 days ago. Today is that day. Today is the first day I can remember. Today is the first day I realize what happened. Today is the first day of my new life for him. A chance to start over. A chance to forgive. A chance to get my life right with Him and for Him so that I can spend eternity with Him and my son."

Me: "Wow! Thank you for sharing that with me"Him: "He told me I had to. As I laid here before you walked in, He told me you were the one"Me: "Which one?" Him: "The one that needed to hear this today" Me: "I wonder why?"Him: "Because you're scared" Me: "Me? Scared? Of what I wonder" Him: "Only you and God know"

I was pretty much speechless at that point. We are trained to just listen and not give our opinions. (that is a work ethic....not my beliefs at all)

When my examination with this patient was completed, I left, in tears. He was right. I have some fears right now. I think we all do. That could have been anyone scheduled to walk in that room at that moment and they may have heard the same story. But I know this......I don't ever simplify something that God is trying to communicate to me. Via the Bible, a song, a friend, or a patient. If we trust in the Lord with all of our hearts and never lean on our own understanding of things that are of this world, there is no fear to be had. With God, all fears are gone. So I am thankful that this man lived and will be a living testimony to those that he encounters. I am thankful for whatever reason, God sent me to him that night.

And as for how long I stayed......I was scheduled to stay 8 minutes. I stayed 45 minutes. And not once during that time did my pager ever go off. hummmmmm

Wednesday, October 14, 2009

Last night we attended Ian's first vocal music concert of the year and man....WHAT A TREAT! I had NO idea it would be so good! And not just the 8th graders, but the 6th and 7th graders as well. How impressive all these students were and you could tell they had worked really hard to learn the not only different songs, but many different styles and languages as well. I have to say it was the best vocal musical performance I have ever been to for this age group. I had goose bumps all night!

Ian's teacher is Mrs. Barker. She is such a wonderful lady and can recognize talent when she sees it. Of couse, I'd say that, cause she loves my kid! But not only has she increased his love for singing, but in a few short months, she has helped him improve his quality of singing as well. I don't think I've ever heard him sing the way he has been over the past 30 days. He truly is blowing me away. Before the concert we had to have the traditional "Mother/Son" photograph. I don't think he minded since he was dressed so nicely! :o)

The week before the concert I asked Ian if he wanted me to invite anyone. Family, friends, etc. He was very "specific" about WHO he wanted me to invite from kids to adults. So I sent out that list and I think he was surprised at how many of those were able to make it. I think he was pretty excited when Mrs. Barker announced his name and he had his own cheering section! Lindsay, Taylor, and Karyn paid a visit! I was really proud of Lukus and Emilie too as they were captivated by the amazing performances all night. I know I have high expectations for behavior, but they were unbelieveably good that night as they waited patiently for Ian's group to get up and of course, they were the last group up! Cindy and Hunter Yeats came along to cheer him on! This is the group of students that made it to all district. Next up....ALL STATE! Okay...he's cute and all....but I just don't think Mrs. Barker could resist. :o) And I couldn't resist snapping that shot! Grandma and PaPa made a visit of course and couldn't have been more proud!

Sunday, October 11, 2009

Saturday I was able to go to my first OU game compliments of Doug and Danna! Each time I thought about it, the whole thing just felt like a dream. Couldn't believe I was actually getting to go. I have to say in advance that I was very quiet! I didn't yell....much....and I was on my best behavior. :o) I was very impressed with the fans from OU as I had heard such sad stories about them. I didn't see one person that was disrespectful the entire time. And I even laughed as a Baylor fan was sitting in the middle of all of us all by himself and even when he cheered, the sooner fans were supportive and just smiled. That was true sportsmanship at it's best.The Ticket! I'm not sure who was more excited. Me...or my date! :o) He was so precious the whole time. The unfortunate part of all of this was I felt bad. I had been feeling pretty bad the entire week before, but then Friday night was really bad. But in all of it, he was wonderful to me and was very patient. As we drove into town, I got very excited. Of course the traffic began LONG before this point. You could tell that excitement was in the air. Because of where we parked, we were able to get a great walk through the campus before the game. It was so beautiful. I was in awe at the architecture of the buildings. I could have just stood and studied them for hours. I loved this clock tower and especially the library that was right next to it. Oh....and I have to add, when it was over, Chad kissed me under that tower. He's too sweet! :o) Okay...so inside the game. Here is the band and wow! What a great band. Yes, I was totally jealous that I didn't have the opportunity to go to college and and be in the band. But it was so amazing to watch and they did very well. Well, the Sooner Schooner was a lot of fun. They had MANY opportunites to come out on to the field that day....and it appeared that once, the girl almost fell out. As tragic as that would have been, I think I may have giggled it it happened. And of course then worried if she was okay! Oh yes....the band in the OU formation. That was neat! This was a pretty good pic of what our view looked like. We didn't realize it at the time but they announced that the game was completely sold out and boy do I ever believe it. There wasn't an empty seat to be seen anywhere. The only sad part for our end was that for this particular game, they spent most of the time at the other endzone. Way too many incomplete passes, but eventually, they were down by us. Either way, it was still great! Oh yes....and the flags that spell SOONER! Again, just another moment where I sat and just took it all in. And the very happy couple. We sat by some great people who offered to take our picture. We had a great time. I am very thankful for the gift we were given this weekend and having the opportunity to experience something like this. What an amazing opportunity for us. We wouldn't have been able to go otherwise but with the love of such a gift from some great friends made it not only possible, but more special to us in the end. The next best thing would have been to go WITH friends and enjoy that experience together.

Thursday, October 01, 2009

On the heels of a pretty rough week, I'm heading out to the Zoe Conference. I am so renewed everytime I go and I can't wait to see what God had planned this time. The singing is always a highlight, but for me, the classes I attended last year were very life changing. This years theme is called "Inside Out" and I can only imagine the possiblities that are going to come with it. I couldn't ask for a better travel party and want more than anything to bring something back that is life changing.